February Newsletter

February Greetings!

Some fine sunny days and plenty of adventures :)

Firstly a big thankyou to everyone for such a successful 2009!

Always trying to have more adventures, take more photos and meet more people :)

2010 is heading the same direction, with group bookings filling the summer weekends in advance. Saturday is generally reserved for group bookings, so if you have a date in mind for this year, please try and book early so we can provide the experience you require.

Due to the high demand for our kayak safety indoor pool courses, we provided extra courses which then filled very quicly, so appologies for that.

There are a few spaces left on the March pool course at present, and Sunday sessions fill weekly with beginners, as well the core Adventure Club members.

We've a busy few year of social's organised for the Adventure Club, as well as exciting outdoor experiences, tuition and trips away.

This Saturday we hired the Duke Karting Track in Jurby for club members and friends, and despite the track being wet was exceptional fun and we'll certainly be offering it again in the future.

Also a quick note that our exclusive Adventure Club paddling holiday to Ireland has one place still on offer :)

It was also Kez's stag party on Saturday, and Peel provided the ideal sheltered venue to enjoy this terrific experience!

A very enjoyable group to lead and we're looking forward to exploring some of our other favourite venues with you this summer.

We also completed the BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue course over the weekend with regulars from the Adventure Club, having used the Mooragh Lake for open boating, the coastline for sea kayaking and recently the river to practice as many scenarios as possible in different environments.

By combining the British Canoe Union Awards we run as part of the 'Progressive Training Program' which members of the Adventure Club enjoy. Members have completed their 2* Personal Performance Award, Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning and now Foundation Safety & Rescue Training, in addition to training and trips on the sea, and are competant proficient paddlers for the Isle of Man coastline.

At this stage they now specialise further, with discipline specific awards.

With Sea Kayaking being our most accessible canoesport - high quality kayaks, paddles, kit and experienced professionally qualified coaches, the BCU 3* Sea is the next personal performance award.

Kokatat Watersports Wear

Adventurous Experiences have had an excellent relationship with Kokatat Watersports Wear.

We have now extended this to all our coaches - who you will notice wearing cosy new Kokatat Drysuits.

The benefits for those committed to year round training became obvious to Adventure Club members, and now we retail the full Kokatat Range.

The February Kayak Safety Pool Courses begin this week - very exciting - with many complete beginners, as well as those who wish to progress their existing skills.

Meanwhile, on the sea we continue to introduce new paddlers to the world of Sea Kayaking, and create a constant pathway for development for those with experience. Please contact us if you wish to learn how to sea kayak - in a safe fun learning environment - in 2010.

As part of our commitment to modern, high quality kit we have just brought in 8 New SKUK Sea Kayaks, which are not only shiny and delightful to look at as well as paddle, we are confident we can continue to accomodate paddlers of all sizes in kayaks to suit their needs and fit them well.

Recently developed models by SKUK - the 'Pilgrim' - a kayak for the petite paddler and the 'Excel' a kayak for the larger paddler, have been well received!

And our other experiences give variety and choice to adventure seekers from on and off island.

And lastly a few things to think about

Isle of Man National Outdoor Centre

A proposal we have been developing which now needs public support, input and deliberation.

Please follow the link above and give this vision a little of your time.

Isle of Man Adventure Race

A physically challenging amateur event.
Weekend 26th - 27th June 2010

Entry forms are now online, and with local and UK teams entering, now is a good time to put your team of 4 together and start training!

All the best and see you soon

Keirron

paddling for pleasure :)

Exploring the Isle of Man's coastline... from the sea

Its a very exciting period of development and creativity - and as always there is so much to explore outdoors on the Isle of Man, there never seems to be quite enough time to experience it all :)





Coasteering with young adventurers for Kim's birthday, sea caves, traversing, jumping, swimming...

Sea Kayaking with the adventure club, using the local amenities...

New experiences, excitement, learning and continuous development.

Learning and experiencing in a group environment provides motivation and opportunity for teamwork, challenge, great social and healthy safe competition.

Its such a buzz to part of this process!
Keirron

new Manx stamps released today...

The Isle of Man Post Office released the new set of stamps today;

http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/post/stamps//pressrelease_islandlife.pdf

featuring the pictures from the 'Island Life' advertising campaign, by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure.

Adventurous Experiences are very proud to have been given the opportunity to work with the Department of Tourism on the campaign and will continue to work with them promoting the Isle of Man as an adventure playground for all.

Keirron

Shafts of Golden sunlight... sea kayaking Isle of Man

Port Erin bay was the destination of the full day sea kayak trip on Saturday, and well as the put in for the afternoon paddle...
A relaxed trip around Bradda Head, past the mines and bays overlooked by the sheer cliffs, very impressive.

We were lucky enough to have a small pod of Porpoise swimming just seaward of us, their small fins appearing and falling away gracefully with the occasional one leaping clear of the water.
They appeared to be feeding in the one area, and stayed with us for while before disappearing again...


Congratulations to Neil for reaching his 40th Bday!!!




















Sea kayak trips and training sessions amidst shafts of Golden sunlight...

The Adventure Club sessions launched from the Sound, on the South coast of the Isle of Man on Sunday, utilising the sheltered conditions for different training groups. Novices explored the inlets and coastline out to Black Head, as well as Kitterland, the Intermediates headed out to South Harbour, the Drinking Dragon tidal race and also used the moving water in the Sound.

It was even warm enough to practice many of the 'wet' skills.

Staff training was a mixture of scenarios and personal boat handlinfg skills in advanced conditions, as always a joy!

Few photo oportunities are available during intensive coaching sessions, but i'm sure the students will remember them well!

Looking forward to next week!

Keirron

Timing to perfection...

...sea kayaking around the stunning Isle of Man has its vast rewards...































...timing adventures to perfection, getting the tide just right for a relaxing paddle and the sun where you want it for photo's also :) ...




...is often difficult, sometimes possible and may involve a degree of luck... :)







And the more times you practice, and harder you work, the more luck seems to be on your side.

St Johns in snow...

The sleepy village of St Johns looks particularly so in the recent snowfalls.
Some great locals walks around and overlooking this central valley of the Isle of Man, best known as the meeting place of our local Parliament.

It's snowing again now so enjoy!

Keirron